Summertime fun at the farm!
By: Adriana Williamson
Summertime is exciting with lots of warm weather, sunshine and outdoor activities offered in and around your city. If you or your family love animals, then taking a few hours to visit one the many petting zoos/farms in and around Ottawa will have you smiling, taking lots of pictures and creating memories everyone will love. Many petting zoos/farms offer self-guided, at- your own pace-walk throughs where you and your family can view, touch and even ride some animals ranging from ponies, goats, peacocks and sheep, to donkeys, bunnies, pot belly pigs, alpacas and more. Child-friendly activities such as the boarding the choo-choo train, taking part in tractor rides, having fun on the swings and slides in the park, getting creative with face painting and watching puppet shows are some of the things that are offered in addition to visiting furry friends. Apart from petting zoos/farms, Ottawa and the surrounding area offers fruit and vegetable picking for family fun- late June, you can explore strawberry picking season, and shortly after raspberry season follows. If you are looking for fresh off the farm vegetables, green and yellow beans, beets and broccoli are ready to be harvested in the later months of the summer. Make a day where you can spend time talking to local farmers for tips and tricks on best dishes, growing and harvesting these healthy treats and on where to go next!
Summer Gardening
By Masuma Hussaini
Summer is here! And summer gardening can keep people busy for hours every week. Watering, feeding, trimming and watching how fast they grow. Even if the garden is already in a good situation and growing well, it still needs attention and care to stay beautiful. Fun, right?
My name is Masuma and besides my job, I have some other activities in my life which gardening is my favorite. I have a very small garden in my house which includes a big Mint pot (yes, Mint can take over the yard quickly, so I keep it in a big pot), a few mini size fruit trees, a Benjamin tree, and many house plants and yard flowers. Based on the season, I keep them inside the house or in the backyard.
There are some key points to having a beautiful front house or back yard in spring and summer time. Here’s to name a few:
· Water and feed the plants on time. Do not let the soil be too dry. Especially during the heat season and of course do not over water the plants, specially the house plants which are sensitive to over watering. Feed the plants based on their type with Fertilizers. Please do not use one type of Fertilizer for all the plants that you have. Each plant or vegetable requires a special type of fertilizer.
· Remove weeds before they take over your yard. Weeds grow and take over a place fast. They use all the nutrients of the soil and in result do not let other plants grow healthy. Best time for removing weeds is before they start to produce seeds.
· Mow the lawn regularly to have a good looking lawn. A mowed lawn can help the garden look organized and attractive more than anything else.
· Use different color flowers in the yard and remove faded flowers. There is no rule to not replace plants. So, whenever your spring blooming annual flowers start fading, replace them with new ones.
· Trim bigger plants to look better and also to let the plant grow well. Just be careful about your fingers and bees when trimming.
I am not a fan of vegetable gardening, but if you have a bigger garden in the backyard, it is a very good idea to plant some vegetables such as: Tomatoes (it comes first to mind when talking about house vegetable gardening), Strawberries, Greens, beans and Corn. It is fun and also a good chance for kids to learn and know more about how farmers plant and produce vegetables for food.
The tips for having a vegetable garden are simple: Do not forget watering, Keep the disease away, Harvest on time and select the vegetables which are proper for your region.
These are the points that I have learned through my experiences and research in gardening. I hope they can help you to have a beautiful garden.
If gardening and visiting farms do not sound interesting to you, maybe some camping could be a summertime activity more suited to your interest!
Summer camping and Water Activities
By Taylor Villeneuve
Here in Canada, with only a few months for summer, it is only natural to want to spend as much time outside as possible. Some favorite outdoor activities for Canadians include camping and water activities.
Camping is one way to enjoy the beautiful Canadian scenery. The province of Ontario has an official website where you can go and book a camping site. It is called
Ontario parks Reservations. Once you are in the website, there are two different campsite styles to choose from. The most popular style is staying on a camp site with amenities such as washrooms, a convenience store, and with other families around- many people refer to this style as ‘
car camping’. You can drive your car right into your camp site! Another style of camping is called ‘
back country camping’. This style of camping refers to leaving your car at a designated parking lot, then hiking or canoeing into your campsite. Let’s explore both camping styles further!
Some popular Ontario provincial parks where people often car camp are
Silver Lake, Silent Lake, Sharbot Lake,
Bon Echo, and
Frontenac. As you may have noticed, a majority of these provincial parks have ‘lake’ in the name. That is because there are many water activities you can do. At all Ontario provincial parks
you can rent canoes, kayaks, or paddle boards. Often families enjoy renting these so that they can enhance their camping experience. Additionally, when you are spending a day at the beach while camping, many people enjoy bringing inflatable water floaties so that they can enjoy relaxing in the water. Many people also find it fun to bring a snorkel and flippers to the beach while camping. This is a fun way to explore the water and see what is on the bottom of the lake.
Now, as mentioned, there is another style of camping called ‘backcountry camping’. This is best suited for those who enjoy adventure, and enjoy soaking in the scenic views of the Ontario backcountry. Another reason why backcountry camping is so popular in Ontario, is because these sites are isolated away from other campers- so you have guaranteed privacy. Once you arrive at a designated parking spot, you are to carry all of your gear to your campsite either by way of water or by hiking. Many choose to rent a canoe from the provincial park in order to make this journey. While you are canoeing to your campsite, this is a great time to look at
different water birds. Some popular locations for this camping style are
Algonquin Park,
North Frontenac,
Charleston Lake, and
Wakami Lake. One thing to keep in mind with backcountry is to always
remember safety gear, which includes a safety whistle, having a map, having warm clothes, storing your food in animal safe bags, and having proper footwear.
Whether you are going to a beach for a day, or spending a weekend in the Ontario forests, there are so many fun outdoor activities to enjoy!
If you are not a fan of outdoor activities, maybe a road trip is a summer time activity for you!
Ontario day trips
By Christina Kaniewski
The province of Ontario offers a little something for everyone. For those seeking memorable day trips, Ontario offers an abundance of options. From picturesque natural wonders to captivating cultural experiences, here are a few day trips that will leave you enchanted, all within the boundaries of this diverse province.
One of the first spots I visited as a child is the majestic
Niagara Falls. This destination is a true natural wonder and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Canada. Feel the mist on your face as you stand mesmerized by the powerful cascade of water. Take a boat tour to get up close and personal with the falls or if you’re feeling adventurous, you can zipline across the falls. Niagara Falls is a captivating day trip that will create magical memories to last a lifetime. You can even take a drive over the border and visit the falls stateside but don’t forget to bring your passport!
Located along Lake Huron in Southwestern Ontario you will find
Grand Bend. It has a reputation of being one of the best beach towns in Ontario and when you see the crystal-clear water you will see why! It’s the perfect beach spot for families or if you’re gathering with friends. This great sandy beach features a splash pad, playground equipment, a boardwalk and easy access to restaurants and shopping. For those who are more outdoorsy, you can check out parasailing, wakeboarding, waterskiing or tubing.
I saved the best for last,
Prince Edward County. I visit here with my family every year and it is my favourite place to visit in Ontario. The beautiful area of Prince Edward county is only located a few hours' drive from Toronto or Ottawa, this destination is perfect for a day trip. Prince Edward County is known for its sandy beaches, wineries and charming small towns. Visit local vineyards to sample award-winning wines, relax on the stunning beaches of Sandbanks Provincial Park, and explore the vibrant arts and culinary scene in towns like Picton and Wellington. Prince Edward County offers a perfect blend of relaxation and exploration.
Ontario, with its diverse landscapes and captivating attractions, provides ample opportunities for unforgettable day trips. These destinations offer a range of experiences that will leave you wanting more. So, pack your bags, grab your camera, hit the road, and enjoy your day trip that will create beautiful memories to last a lifetime.
Exploring the Maritimes: A Fun Road Trip Adventure
By Jessica Marcotte
Imagine taking a road trip to the Maritimes, the East Coast of Canada. Discover stunning landscapes, historic places, friendly people, and exciting activities! These are my childhood memories, full of awe-inspiring experiences. Even now as an adult, I still plan vacations to the Maritimes and am yet to check off Newfoundland from my list!
Starting the journey in Nova Scotia, one of the must-visit places on a road trip is
Peggy's Cove. It's a charming fishing village located on the coast of Nova Scotia. You'll want to visit the famous lighthouse that stands on rugged rocks surrounded by crashing waves from the sea. Another fantastic stop on your East Coast adventure is the city of Halifax, which is the capital of Nova Scotia. Halifax has a rich history. Make sure to visit the
Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, where you can learn about the legendary Titanic. You can also take a stroll along the charming waterfront boardwalk, lined with shops and delicious ice cream stands. This is where you’ll also find
Pier 21, a national historic site for Canada, where approximately one million immigrants were welcomed between 1928 and 1971. Despite having closed in 1971, it Is now operated as the
Canadian Museum of Immigration.
As you continue your journey, you'll reach the province of New Brunswick, famous for its incredible natural wonders.
Hopewell Rocks is a must-see destination. These massive rock formations, shaped by the ocean, rise out of the water, creating a unique sight. During low tide, you can even walk on the ocean floor. You can also visit the world-famous
Fundy National Park. It’s known for having the highest tides in the world, which means the water level rises and falls dramatically throughout the day with an average of as much as 12 metres.
Next, make your way to Prince Edward Island, the smallest province in Canada. This island is known for its beautiful landscapes, red soil, and delicious seafood. Don't miss the opportunity to visit
Green Gables, the inspiration behind the famous book "Anne of Green Gables” by Lucy Maud Montgomery.
Before ending your road trip, make a stop in Newfoundland. In St. John's, the easternmost city in North America and the capital of the province, you can visit
Signal Hill, where the first wireless transatlantic signal was received. You can visit
Gros Morne National Park, a World heritage site where you'll experience Newfoundland’s second tallest mountain and witness the process of continental drift, seen a few places on the planet where deep ocean crust and the rocks of the earth's mantle are exposed. Or, visit
L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, Canada’s earliest Viking encampment of over a thousand years ago.
As your road trip comes to an end, you'll have made unforgettable memories and experienced the beauty of Canada's East Coast. With wonderful memories made and more to be created, I invite you to embark on a journey filled with adventure and discovery!